







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | |
| There is no table for you, then! | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | |
| How much rice do you need? | |
| No worries, it's free for you today. | |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | |
| No, no, nothing is wrong, no need to worry, we are all fine... | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | |
| I'm happy to hear that. | |
| I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | |
| How is your cat? | |
| She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | |